Financial Aid Counselor Hybrid

Young Harris College; Young Harris (GA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Young Harris College seeks a Senior Financial Aid Counselor to assist prospective and current students with financial aid processes, ensure compliance with regulations, and manage various financial aid programs. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree, relevant experience, and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse student population.

Qualifications

• 1+ years experience in financial aid office required.
• Strong computing skills needed.
• Experience with federal and state financial aid policies is a must.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students on financial aid eligibility and programs.
• Manage Work Study and Dual Enrollment programs.
• Package financial aid awards for students.

Skills

Effective communication

Empathy

Attention to detail

Proactivity

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or related field

Master's degree in business, finance, or related field (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

PowerFAids

PowerCampus

Job description

The primary function of the Senior Financial Aid Counselor is to guide prospective and currently enrolled students and their families through the financial aid process.

Essential Functions:

• Counsel students and families on financial aid eligibility, application procedures, and various

financial aid programs

• Respond to student inquiries in person, by phone, and by email
• Maintain current knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, state rules, and institutional policies

pertaining to financial aid

• Package students with appropriate financial aid awards
• Manage the Work Study program
• Administer the Dual Enrollment program
• Monitor Fine Arts Scholarship awarding
• Perform verifications
• Track missing documents and communicate with students regarding file completion
• Supervise Financial Aid Work Study student staff
• Give presentations on type of aid, the financial aid application process, and payment options

during recruiting events

• Serve on committees, including the SAP Appeal Committee, as needed
• Actively participate in professional development and training opportunities
• Other duties as required

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, mathematics, or other related field from a regionally accredited institution
• Previous experience in a financial aid office
• Capability to understand, articulate, and support the benefits of a diverse campus community and value the perspective of others
• Effective, empathetic, and engaging communicator with the ability to build relationships with prospective students, their families, and campus partners
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and work independently, or as part of a project team, to complete multiple tasks with competing deadlines and priorities with a strong attention to detail and while exercising grace under pressure
• Experience exercising independent judgment and discretion with little or no guidance, making decisions on behalf of the Financial Aid Office and the College that are appropriate, timely, and defensible while maintaining appropriate confidentiality
• Comfortable creating and making presentations to audiences of 300+
• Strong computing skills and efficiency utilizing computing applications on various systems and programs (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite, PowerFAids, PowerCampus, etc.) as well as with admissions information management systems
• Possess a positive attitude, consistently proactive in fulfilling job responsibilities
• Demonstrated commitment to a student-centered quality customer service

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• 1+ years experience working with federal, state, and local financial aid policies and processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, finance, accounting, mathematics, other related field from a regionally accredited institution
• Prior financial aid experience at a four-year institution
• 2+ years proven experience of successful performance in a fast-paced financial aid office

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Responsible for the supervision of work study students

Working Conditions & Physical Effort

• There is a possibility that the position could be a hybrid or remote position
• Requires the ability to sit for long periods of time while handling frequent interruptions
• Requires extended hours during peak times as well as occasional weekend work
• Requires manual dexterity with normal hand and finger movements for typical office work
• Requires talking, hearing, and seeing as important elements for completing assigned tasks
• Requires comfort speaking in front of large groups
• Requires the use of various electronic tools
• Requires the ability to relate to others and to partner with colleagues without exhibiting behavioral extremes
• Requires the performance of work activities including reasoning, instructing, and/or speaking with others
• Requires the ability to respond appropriately to constructive feedback from management

Applications must include a cover letter, current CV, and contact information for at least three professional references. Applicants must apply online using the College's HR portal. Review of applications will begin immediately. Selected candidates must successfully pass a background check.

Applicants who would enrich the diversity of the campus community are strongly encouraged to apply.

EOE M/F/D/V

Young Harris College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. All persons involved in the operations of the College are prohibited from engaging in such discrimination.